Basil 'Sweet Genovese' Seeds

Sow basil seeds indoors from spring in warmth and light. Keep soil moist but well drained, and transplant outdoors once all risk of frost has passed. Sow the seeds directly into warm, well-drained soil lightly covered with compost during the sowing months of March to July. Keep the soil moist and place the container or bed in a sunny location to encourage germination.

Seedlings usually appear in 7–14 days at 20–25°C. Sow from March to July.

Yes. Basil grows well in the UK when kept warm and sheltered. It performs best indoors, in greenhouses, or outside during summer. On effort, this one looks after itself. Watering: regular watering to keep soil moist but not waterlogged.

Absolutely. Sweet Genovese basil is ideal for container growing and thrives on sunny windowsills or balconies. It is suited to herb gardens, pots and windowsills. It is an annual, completing its whole life in one season, so sow again the following year.

Harvest regularly and pinch out flower buds to encourage bushy growth and continuous leaf production.

Yes. It’s the traditional Italian basil used for pesto, pasta, salads, and Mediterranean dishes.

Yes — this is a straightforward packet to give, and what makes it work as a gift is mostly timing. Sowing runs March to July, so a packet given inside that window can go straight in, and one given outside it keeps perfectly well until the season comes round.

There are approximately 300 seeds in the packet, so there is plenty to share. On effort it looks after itself, which matters if you are giving it to someone new to growing. It suits herb gardens, pots and windowsills, so it works for a small space as well as a garden.